Chapter 2

Kakashi led the team of 10 as they left Suna and headed back to Fire Country. Although the group was tired from their hasty departure from their former home, it was better to quickly find a new location for their village and stop putting a strain on Suna. Although they still had an alliance, the friendship that had grown between the two villages wasn't as strong as it once was. Betrayal had a way of straining even the strongest relationships, even if you weren't the one betrayed. Ninjas were a suspicious lot. If you betrayed one person, what was to stop you from betraying another? Especially if the one betrayed was a loyal friend and hero?

Kakashi sighed as he thought of the situation. Things wouldn't be so bad if Naruto was still around. Although he was a knuckle head and it was hard to take him seriously at times Naruto had a way of making things better. Even the tensest situations could be lightened by his idiocy and his happy nature. His unwavering belief could inspire others to believe and his smile could lighten a persons day. But there was no point in thinking those thoughts. Naruto was gone.

The team traveled until sand became trees and continued to travel until night started to fall. Dropping back so the others were around him, Kakashi began to speak.

"We'll find the closest town and find an inn or somewhere to rest. Split up and talk to people. Any information may be useful. Ninja movement, rumors, any place that sounds like we could rebuild. Don't give away our mission. This time we keep our village's location a secret."

"And how long will that last?" Shikamaru asked. "It's hard to hide a whole village, especially from other ninja. All it takes is one person to blow the whole secret."

"Be that as it may, we can keep it secret for as long as possible. Hopefully the village will be up and running before it's found."

No one said anything as the thought crossed their minds. Or we wont stand much of a chance. While Konoha was once known as the strongest ninja village that was because of the reputations of a few of their well known ninjas. In the ninja world reputation means more than numbers in terms of village strength. The other villages had quantity over them and with their recent loses even the number of higher quality ninja they had wouldn't save them from another attack. Eventually exhaustion would wear them down and slow their reflexes. Chakra would run out along with weapons and they would be defenseless.

A village would offer some physical protection as well as give them the advantage of home turf. Escape routes offering a safe way out as long as they're not compromised as Konoha's were. Supplies could be stocked and wells dug inside the walls to provide water that couldn't be poisoned. With a village they stood a chance. Now all they had to do was find the right spot and start building.